“Because he was smart, and I was lost. I didn’t even see it or believe it until I was so mired down in it, I used his own words to rationalize the abuse. It took me a long time after he was gone to seek therapy, and then it took me two years to fully understand what I’d been through and forgive myself enough to really start moving forward.” She looked up at him. “I’m sorry for villainizing you and returning the letters and for all of the horrible things I said. I’m sorry I didn’t reach out to you when you got out of prison, but I was scared you’d never forgive me.”

“Forgive you? I love you, and I never blamed you for hating me.”

“I didn’t hate you. I hated myself.” She touched the angel-wing charm hanging around her neck. “You saved me and allowed me to save my little girl. Lynnie Loo is the purest, most beautiful soul on this earth, and if anyone ever hurts her like Kevin hurt me, it’ll be me behind bars.”

“Don’t say that,” he demanded. “It never goes away, Care.”

“You have to let it go. I learned that, and it’s not easy, but it’s important. He hurt me a lot, and I’m at fault for covering it up. But I will do whatever I can to try to make up for all the pain I’ve caused you.”

All the emotions he’d been holding back broke free, and he wrapped her in his arms. “Having you and Lynnie Loo in my life is all I need.”

He held her as she cried, both of them choking out apologies, forgiveness, and long-missed love. They stayed there, embracing on the porch, until her tears stopped and his racing heart calmed, and as he stepped back, she looked over his shoulder with confusion in her eyes.

He followed her gaze to Madigan standing at the open gate, her hand over her heart, tears glistening in the moonlight, and his chest felt like it might explode. “Mads, what are you doing here?”

“Did you really think I was going to let you do this by yourself? Nobody in this family rides alone.”

She ran to him, and he saw Zeke, Zander, and Blaine walking down the road. He really wasn’t alone anymore, not in this. Not in anything. He drew her into his arms, his heart pounding so hard, he could barely think as he gazed into her eyes, and “God,” came out on a sigh. “I love you so damn much, Blue Eyes.”

She looked up at him with fresh tears. “I love you, too.”